שָׁמִיר (sha.mir)
sha.mir
Shamir
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun shamir primarily denotes a sharp point or thorn, but in the Hebrew Bible it functions almost exclusively as a proper name for places and people. This dual usage suggests that the name was likely chosen to evoke the characteristics of a thorny plant—perhaps indicating a fortified location with natural defenses, or simply reflecting a family’s connection to such terrain.
Geographically, the term identifies two distinct towns: one in the mountain district of Judah and another in Ephraim. The Ephraimite Shamir is particularly notable as the home and burial place of Tola, a judge who led Israel for twenty-three years (Judges 10:1-2; Joshua 15:48). This specific mention anchors the word in the narrative of tribal leadership during the period before the monarchy.
Beyond geography, shamir also appears as a personal name. In 1 Chronicles 24:24, it identifies a Levite named Shamir, son of Micah, serving during the time of the divided kingdom. The recurrence of this name across different tribes and regions highlights how common descriptive terms were repurposed for identity, linking individuals to the physical landscape of ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shamir appears in Scripture as a reminder that God’s guidance extends into every corner of life, including the places we call home and the families we belong to. In the Old Testament, this word marks specific towns in Judah and Ephraim, serving as anchors for stories of leadership and tribal identity. When Tola the judge lived in Shamir, it was not just a geographic detail but a setting where God raised up deliverers for His people during times of need.
We also meet a Levite named Shamir in the records of temple service, showing how ordinary names can carry lasting significance within God’s community. These references invite us to consider how our own lives and locations are known and used by God. Just as these ancient sites and individuals were part of Israel’s story, your daily life holds meaning in His larger plan.
Reflecting on Shamir encourages a sense of belonging and purpose. It reminds us that God works through real places and real people to accomplish His will. Whether in times of judgment or service, the biblical record shows a faithful God who remembers and uses those who are part of His covenant community.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Shamir2×
- Shamir2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁמִֽיר\׃1×
- שָׁמִ֥יר1×
- בְּ/שָׁמִֽיר\׃\ \פ1×
- בְּ/שָׁמִ֖יר1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 10:1
After Abimelech, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
This verse identifies Shamir as the home of Tola, linking the place to a specific period of judicial leadership and divine deliverance for Israel.
-
Judges 10:2
He judged Israel twenty-three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.
The mention of Tola’s burial in Shamir confirms the town’s significance as a lasting landmark for the tribe of Issachar during the era of the judges.
-
Joshua 15:48
In the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
This reference places Shamir among the fortified cities of Judah, highlighting its role in the territorial inheritance and defense of the southern tribes.
-
I Chronicles 24:24
The sons of Uzziel: Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir.
Here, Shamir appears as a personal name for a Levite, illustrating how descriptive terms were adopted to identify individuals serving in the temple hierarchy.